Coach Cav was back to his old form Tuesday afternoon, loud and in his player's faces. I've been watching him since Day 1 of Fall Camp and cannot for the life of me remember a more reserved and mellow Cavanaugh. After watching the offensive line not play up to snuff the last couple of practices,...[details]

2008 (Junior): Veteran tight end who enters the season as the team’s second-leading returning receiver...good hands and blocker.

2007 (Sophomore): 20 receptions for the season, including a career-high five at Arizona State...scored touchdowns against ASU, Stanford and WSU.

2006 (Freshman): One of six true-freshmen to play...made his lone reception, a three-yard catch in his first collegiate game against Eastern Washington.

Personal: Born in Long Beach, California...son of Howard and Sharon Croom...has three siblings...Sylvester Croom, the head coach at Mississippi State, is a second cousin...his sister Ashton is a softball student-athlete at Hampton University...Jerome Bettis is his favorite athlete...chose OSU because “I liked the area and it feels like home”...intends to major in business.

Lacking the overall size for the position, Croom isn't much of a physical specimen. Is stiff in the hips and doesn't possess the upper-body strength to slide and handle defensive ends at the point of attack. But he does display good technique and hand placement as a run blocker. He understands angles and has the body control to seal defenders away from the play. Lumbering into his routes, he lacks burst in the pass game. Croom is a coordinated tight end, but he will struggle separating at the next level. Possesses soft hands and does a nice job extending his arms and plucking the football away from his frame. Is an undersized TE prospect who lacks the necessary athleticism and strength to make up for his size.